Two years later. . . .
"Sister, are you sure we won't get caught by the kitchen servants?"
"Shh. Low down your voice. We shall grab the treats for ourselves."
My brother and I are under the table and trying to get the sweets to be served to the visitors. I raised my left arm to snatch the tasty bread from the table.
I got two and passed the other one to my brother.
"Hm. T-this is good, Sister."
He smiled, delighted at what he received. I nodded. "But remember, you can't consume a lot of sweets, or you'll get a stomachache."
We are whispering to one another so that the servant won't find out about us. He nodded brilliantly while eating.
"Hey, what's happening here? A little of the bread is missing!"
My brother and I just scowled at each other. Slowly eating the bread and even swallowing the food carefully.
I offered him a hand, indicating that we gently went away. He agreed with me, the two of us silently slithering away.
"Your highness! So it was the two of you!"
I was startled, "
I pushed him and ran as fast as we could away from that spot. I didn't realize that they weren't even chasing us. We sprinted until I bumped into someone.
"Ugh."
I wasn't paying attention to my course, prompting me to forcefully jolt my butt into the ground.
"Sister!"
Elke stood behind me, but when I glanced at him, he was stiff and seemed afraid.
Looking in the direction that makes him tremble in horror, it was Father!
"Your highness. What an unladylike to see you sprinting in the hallway with the Prince." the minister started to insult me and laughed at me.
Father, on the other hand, was with his solemn gaze looking directly at me. He looked terrible, and I understood why Elke started to shiver in dread.
My father sighed. Surprisingly, he just raised me and murmured.
"Be careful next time."
Then, he went off with his ministers. Though his ministers were still scrutinizing me, I poked out my tongue teasingly to upset them.
"Wow, Sister. Father really loves you."
"No, no, he loves both of us."
For years that I have been residing in this place, I haven't seen Father getting upset with me; whatever I do, he will tell me I need to be careful. If not, he will stare at me. Then he'll go.
"But unlike you, he doesn't treat me like that. He is always upset at me and criticizes me whatever my mistake is, even the little ones."
"Hm, I see. Then why don't we visit him in his bed-chamber later?"
"W-what do you mean?"
"If we visit him. I'm sure father will be grateful for us."
"B-but what if he gets mad? Not only to me but to you also."
I pat his head. This kid worries too much.
"Don't worry. I'm on it."
Later that evening, the two of us slipped into the king's bed-chamber. At first, I knocked outside the door. I didn't hear any reaction, so the two of us continued inside.
"Sorry for suddenly barging in," I mumbled to the air. I should at least give my respect by entering this royal room.
Noticing that my brother was not tailing me, I then frowned and whistled at him.
"What are you doing? Come!" I kept my voice low when I yelled at him.
"B-but I'm terrified."
"Hurry, Elke!"
He doesn't have an option in the end. Both of us entered the room. The room is neat, everything is flawless, and the remnants smell pleasant.
Elke clutched my garment hard, and I could at least feel that he was afraid.
"Don't worry. Father won't chastise us. We are his wonderful children."
Holding his tiny hands to keep him reduced, fearing for our father, I drew him to the bed. Both of us were standing before our sleeping father.
"Listen, Elke, What are we about to do is… We will join Father in his slumber. He needs company."
"E-eh?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
"SHH!"
"..."
I frowned to stop him from disturbing our father's sleep.
"But what if he gets furious with us-"
"Why am I going to be mad?"
The two of us trembled at father's unexpected query.
"Sister! Y-you woke him up!"
"What are you two doing here? It's already late…."
"E-ehehe…" I nervously chuckled. "Father, we are here to sleep with you."
"S-sister!"
Elke crumpled my dress, and he was shaking.
"Oh dear, what are the two of you doing here?"
Mother suddenly came in, and she was holding a tray with a bottle and glass of water.
"We want to sleep with Father. Can't we do that?"
Mother then gazed at father with a smile. "Yeah, why not sleep with him? You don't mind, huh, dear?"
"R-really?!"
Elke quickly uttered without realizing.
I glanced at Father, who avoided eye contact with us.
"I don't mind," he said with a low tone of voice. The two of us became pleased since father let us sleep beside him.
"Yay!" The two of us hurriedly went to his bed. "Remember, kids; we mustn't let your father be stressed."
"Yes." We chorused joyously.
"Here. Drink your medicine first, sweetie."
"Hmm."
Elke and I lay down. We are taking sides so Father can sleep in the middle.
My brother seems to be looking forward to this. He seems delighted. I'm cheering for him.
When father lay down himself, he positioned himself straightly. I glanced at my mother and requested something I would like to hear before I went to sleep.
"Mother…?"
"Yes, dear?"
"Can you sing me the lullaby you always sing for me?"
"Alright."
I wrapped myself in my father's arm, and he was a bit astonished that he stared at me confusedly, but then he just let me after that. I lifted my hand with a peace sign to relay my signal to Elke.
The peace sign message says he needs to copy what I am doing. I know he was anxious and everything but, in the end, he did it!
Then Mother started singing.
"...Every time you kissed me… I trembled like a child…
Gathering the roses… we sang for the hope… la la la…."
That night was the most memorable thing we have ever done together.
To be continued. . .
(Every time you kissed me is a song composed by Yuki Kajiura, I don't own anything about the music <3)